SERBIA
Manager: Mladen Krstajić
MVP: Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma)
Best WC Result:Group stage, 2010
In only their second tournament as an independent nation, Serbia’s crunch game with Switzerland on the second match day will likely be make-or-break for their chances of reaching the knockout rounds for the first time. Their back line—flanked by the experience of Branislav Ivanović and captain Aleksandar Kolarov (and his terrifying left foot)—may be their strongest asset, but further forward Southampton’s Dušan Tadić and Torino’s Adem Ljajić will provide spark behind the mercurial Aleksandar Mitrović. The Fulham striker was on fire this past season, and his country, having lost only once in qualifying, may prove to be an outside bet in the group if their attack can click.
SWITZERLAND
Manager: Vladimir Petković
MVP: Xherdan Shaqiri (Stoke City)
Best WC Result: Quarter-finals, 1934 and 1954
The cruel victims of Ángel Di María’s 118th-minute winner for Argentina at the last World Cup, Switzerland’s world ranking at sixth may be a little generous, flattering to deceive at recent tournaments. In 2006, they became the only team to be knocked out of a World Cup without conceding a single goal, by virtue of a shootout defeat to Ukraine. This time, compact attacker Xherdan Shaqiri (essentially a sentient mini-fridge with superb balance who can pull a goal from thin air) can cause problems for anyone on the break, and Ricardo Rodríguez’s left foot will have a few goalkeepers trembling on set pieces. They’ll likely get through Group E, but with Germany waiting in the second round, matching their quarter-final best is a huge task.
COSTA RICA
Manager: Óscar Ramírez
MVP: Bryan Ruiz (Sporting CP)
Best WC Result: Quarter-Finals, 2014
Unlucky to miss out on the semi-finals, last World Cup, after losing on penalties to Holland in the final eight, Costa Rica come into 2018 as one of its the most underrated teams. In Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas they have world class and Bryan Ruiz, just recently passing the 100-cap mark, they have experience, as well as proving hard to beat in qualification and showing their potency to dish out the odd beating with a 4–0 hammering of USMNT (but we don’t wanna talk about that…)
BRAZIL
Manager: Tite
MVP: Neymar (PSG)
Best WC Result: Champions, 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002
On our way from LAX, we met Enrique—a cab driver from Brazil who has lived in LA, Miami for twenty years—who said that this trophy “is Brazil’s to lose” and it’s probably safer to simply avoided arguing with a man that animated. Especially if he’s at the wheel of your car. You can see his point, however: Brazil have the pedigree, with talent all over the pitch, in-form players, and quality in every single position. But are the ghosts of that 7–1 pasting at the hands of Germany in the 2014 semi-final exorcised? And will creative fulcrum Neymar—PSG’s will-o’-the-wisp attacker and the most expensive player of all time—be fully fit after a lengthy injury spell? Only time will tell… but there is no telling Enrique.
Cafe Brasil
11736 Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90066
A lively, brightly colored space, with actual Brazilians supporting their beloved national team on the TV screens very loudly. You can also get some of the best authentic Brazilian food in the city here, with churrascaria grilled meats, stews, and enough fresh juice to make you vibrate with vitality.
